Which is better foam block or aerated concrete? Foam block or gas block: which is better to choose?

When talking about aerated concrete and foam concrete blocks, you can often encounter the fact that not everyone understands well what kind of materials they are and what the difference is between them. Aerated concrete and foam concrete are united by the fact that they belong to cellular concrete, i.e. have a porous structure. This provides them with high thermal insulation properties, ease of processing and use, good strength and reliability, and, most importantly, relatively low price- after all, a brick wall will cost much more. But aerated concrete and foam concrete also differ from each other, which is due to some differences in their production, hence the difference in some technical properties. It is impossible to say exactly which material is better, but we hope that after reading this material you will form the correct conclusion for yourself.

Features of the production of foam concrete blocks

The most important The differences between foam concrete and aerated concrete should be looked for in their production technology.

Thus, foam concrete blocks are obtained by adding to ordinary cement mortar special foaming additives of organic or synthetic origin. Foam is formed on the basis of water, and the water itself evaporates naturally during the drying process. Foaming additives foam the concrete, thereby filling it with air bubbles. Such bubbles are distributed throughout the entire volume of concrete, and after hardening they make it much lighter, adding thermal insulation and sound insulation properties.

This process can be carried out directly at the construction site, since very specific and high-tech equipment is unnecessary. Due to the shapes used in the manufacture of foam blocks, finished goods may differ in size, sometimes by 10-20 mm.

Features of the production of aerated concrete blocks

To produce aerated concrete, you need quartz sand, lime, cement and water, as well as a special component - aluminum powder, due to the presence of which bubbles are formed that fill the aerated concrete. The process of hardening the mixture occurs in autoclaves at sufficient high temperature And high blood pressure, and not in natural conditions, as is the case with foam concrete. And since it is used for production special equipment, then all the characteristics of the future aerated concrete block can be controlled, making them identical throughout the entire volume. This cannot be said about foam concrete, which, when hardening on the street, may have a slightly heterogeneous and unequal structure and properties. And the shape of aerated concrete blocks produced in this way is ideal, with minimal deviations from each other, which cannot be said about foam concrete, for which forms are often used that are not capable of ensuring accuracy and evenness.

This treatment allows aerated concrete blocks to have a number of other advantages over foam concrete, which we will discuss later.

Advantages of aerated concrete over foam concrete

1. Strength– this is the main advantage of aerated concrete. At the same density, aerated concrete is much stronger than foam concrete. And if we compare blocks with the same strength, then, naturally, aerated concrete will have a lower density, and, therefore, will be lighter and more convenient in construction. By the way, it is believed that foam concrete can shrink and develop microcracks after construction is completed, so it is useful to wait at least a year after building a house from foam concrete blocks before starting expensive repairs and finishing.
2. Aerated concrete blocks have the best vapor permeability. The whole point, again, is in the structure of the material and the production method. So, in aerated concrete, all the pores are interconnected, which cannot be said about foam concrete, where they are isolated. Therefore, an aerated concrete block allows moisture and air to pass through better, and the microclimate in such a house will be much better than if you use foam concrete, which allows air to pass through much worse. That is why, if you decide to insulate a wall made of aerated concrete blocks, it is better to use breathable materials so as not to negate all the benefits of aerated concrete. And foam concrete blocks can also be insulated with foam plastic to reduce the cost of work.
3. Now about thermal conductivity. It is believed that aerated concrete and foam concrete are capable of providing approximately equal thermal insulation properties. But if you look at some of the details, you can understand that the thermal insulation of foam concrete does not always meet the values ​​declared by the manufacturers. The fact is that the pores in foam concrete, as a rule, are of different sizes: they can be 1 mm, or they can be 5 mm, while in aerated concrete the pore size is usually constant. It follows from this that the value of thermal conductivity may differ in different places block. But this is not as scary as what is in the conditions high humidity air, the thermal conductivity of foam concrete can increase significantly, which will lead to the fact that the walls simply will not maintain the temperature that is comfortable for residents. And you will also have to spend money on more powerful wall insulation. Although there are many experts who can argue with this fact.
4. Aerated concrete blocks are often called environmentally friendly material - this is really true, because in production they do not use anything except natural materials, which were already mentioned above. In the production of foam concrete blocks, synthetic blowing agents can be used, which can no longer be called environmentally friendly. Here we cannot fail to mention the myth that aerated concrete contains aluminum, and it is harmful to our health. There is no point in arguing about the harmfulness of aluminum - it is harmful, but is it available in ready-made aerated concrete blocks? All aluminum reacts with lime, eventually releasing oxygen and forming aluminum oxide: oxygen is needed for the formation of pores, and aluminum oxide is harmless and is found in most building materials, even clay. And there is less aluminum oxide in aerated concrete than in foam concrete and brick. And here, not everything is clear: there are opinions that aluminum still remains in the material, not being completely consumed in the reaction, but we still remain of the opinion that aerated concrete is more environmentally friendly.
5. Form aerated concrete blocks are almost ideal, and the error is no more than 2 mm, so working with them is very easy, the walls turn out smooth, and little glue is needed. Foam concrete blocks can have such significant deviations in size that it will be noticeable to the naked eye, and it will be more difficult to correct such irregularities; much more solution will be needed.
6. Installation aerated concrete blocks will cost you relatively less than foam concrete blocks. This is explained by the fact that glue is used to lay aerated concrete, and its thickness is significantly less than the thickness of cement mortar for foam concrete (2 mm versus 1 cm). Even taking into account that glue is 2-3 times more expensive than cement, and its consumption will be about 6 times lower, we get savings, not to mention the fact that when using glue for aerated concrete, there are practically no cold bridges, which makes the house more comfortable and warmer.
7. Aerated concrete blocks are much easier for subsequent decorative processing, this is largely due to the fact that they have excellent geometry.

Advantages of foam concrete over aerated concrete

conclusions

From everything written above it follows that, according to some characteristics, foam concrete and aerated concrete blocks similar, but foam concrete is cheaper. Thus, foam concrete may be suitable for a certain type of construction, where some of its disadvantages will not fall through. Aerated concrete has more attractive properties compared to foam concrete, largely due to production technology. And besides, if you count all the expenses for installation, then construction from aerated concrete blocks may not be at all more expensive than construction from foam concrete blocks. The final choice is made by everyone before the start of construction, but in most cases the use of aerated concrete blocks remains justified.

Foam concrete is a cellular material. The forming components are Portland cement and sand. Porosity in the material is formed due to the addition of technical foam. Foam concrete blocks are produced using autoclave and non-autoclave methods.

The first option is much stronger, but its cost is higher, and it can only be produced in a factory.

Non-autoclaved foam blocks are produced in small enterprises, sometimes in artisanal conditions, and its cost will be a third lower due to the simplicity of the equipment.

Let's talk separately about the use of a foaming agent to obtain a porous block structure.

Protein foaming agents, as a rule, are produced by imported companies, and therefore are expensive. Their use guarantees high-quality and environmentally friendly products.

It is possible to produce synthetic foaming agents yourself. They are prepared using glue, soda, and soap. When using synthetic foam, the working mixture takes longer to harden, which affects heterogeneity and reduces the strength of the blocks. Sometimes there are questions regarding the environmental friendliness of such products.

The density of the foam block can be varied - from 200 kg/m3 and above. Its weight depends on the previous indicator and ranges from 12 to 47.5 kilograms.

The advantages of foam blocks are:

• Easy to install, compared with brickwork. Which is due to the size of the blocks.
• Low price, compared to brick and gas silicate block.
• Moisture resistance. The block has a closed pore structure, so it does not absorb moisture well.
• Vapor permeability.
• Durability and resistance to aggressive environmental factors.

• The possibility of production in artisanal conditions, as a result of which increases probability of buying homemade products made without technology. You need to take a responsible approach to choosing a manufacturer and check product certification.
• Block geometry. Foam blocks do not always have a perfectly flat surface. This increases installation time and... Thick seams are cold bridges.

Advantages and disadvantages of gas block

Aerated concrete is a more modern block material. In the production of gas blocks, autoclave hardening technology is used. Thanks to special processing in autoclaves, the material becomes more durable and hard. Such blocks are characterized by durability and lack of shrinkage. Such blocks can only be produced in high-tech factories and combines.


Portland cement, quartz sand, and lime are used as components in the manufacture of blocks. Hence another name for the blocks – gas silicate. Aluminum powder is added to make it porous., which reacts chemically with lime. As a result, hydrogen gas is formed and pores appear in the material (a cellular structure is obtained).

Gas silicate elements differ:

• good heat conservation and at the same time the ability to pass air (vapor permeability);
• resistance to precipitation and temperature changes;
• hypoallergenic;
• durability due to low drying shrinkage;
• resistance to rotting, fungus and mold.

This material is easy to process and does not crumble.

This makes it possible to build absolutely any structures from aerated concrete, including multi-story ones, in as soon as possible. When calculating the amount of materials, it should be taken into account that gas blocks are not only standard sizes(200x300x600 mm), but also of various other shapes.

Compared to foam concrete, gas silicate factory blocks have perfect geometric shapes. This speeds up the laying process and reduces glue consumption. Thin seams from 1 to 3 mm can significantly reduce heat loss in the building.

The disadvantages of aerated concrete include its fairly high cost and the need for delivery from a large plant, which may be located far from the construction site.

He also inferior to foam concrete in terms of moisture permeability. This fact must be taken into account when designing a house. For example, plan a high base of the building (60 cm for the Moscow region) to avoid moisture build-up in the first row of blocks. Plan the facade from facing materials (panels, brick, siding, etc.) or plaster to protect against slanting rain.

Comparison of foam concrete and aerated concrete

For greater clarity, let’s compare the characteristics of these cellular materials in pairs and find out whether there is a significant difference between them.


Most differences arise from differences in production technology. To form pores in foam blocks, you need to introduce concrete mixture foaming agents. To obtain a cellular structure in aerated concrete, aluminum powder is required, which releases in the process chemical reaction harmless hydrogen. There are much fewer visual differences.

Pores are the main advantage of both materials. The air contained in them provides low thermal conductivity.

These production features form part of the differences between aerated concrete and foam concrete. These include:

1. Structure. Aerated concrete (gas silicate) is similar in structure to a sponge with open cells, which allows the material to quickly absorb moisture and release it just as quickly. In foam concrete, the cells are closed and non-uniformly distributed. Thanks to this, foam blocks practically do not absorb moisture. The walls of a house made of this material need not be treated even in damp conditions. For aerated concrete blocks, a waterproofing layer is desirable in wet rooms. Otherwise, water will seep into the pores and, when frozen, can lead to cracks. Also in damp walls thermal conductivity increases.
2. Compound. For the manufacture of aerated blocks, only natural components are used. As for the foam block, the foaming agent may be different. Protein is an environmentally friendly option, synthetic is not.
3. Size. The geometry of the aerated concrete elements is almost ideal; the dimensions do not deviate from the specified ones by more than two millimeters. Thanks to this, the construction of construction projects proceeds with high speed, and the masonry turns out to be highly durable and monolithic. Deviations for foam blocks are much higher (up to 20 mm), which sometimes requires the use of cement mortar to fill the voids. This affects the increase in thermal conductivity due to the increased seam width. In the case of aerated concrete using technology, the remaining rows are glued.

As for the cost, foam concrete blocks, even autoclave ones, are slightly lower in price than aerated concrete ones.

In more detail, how aerated concrete differs from foam concrete during construction can be seen in the table:

Qualities and features	Aerated concrete	Foam concrete
Strength and Density	High. With a density of 500 kg/m3, gas blocks can withstand a load of 34 kg/cm2.	Load capacity is lower. So, a non-autoclave foam block holds a maximum of 9 kg/cm2.
Laying	For glue.	For glue or, in case of disgusting geometry, for cement-sand mortar.
Finishing	Fit well Decoration Materials.	Finishing materials do not fit well, but in some cases you can do without them.
Thermal conductivity	Identical along the entire perimeter, on average equal to 0.12.	Changes due to different sizes pores, on average equal to 0.18–0.22.
Price	Higher, on average per cubic meter is 4.5 thousand rubles.	Below, on average 3 thousand rubles per cubic meter.

The fire-fighting properties of these two materials are the same - they are not flammable. But the sound insulation of aerated concrete is slightly higher than that of foam concrete. However, foam block walls also protect against noise quite well.

Application of gas block and foam block

Foam concrete structures are in most cases less durable. For the construction of load-bearing walls, you should choose only the autoclave option with high density. More often, foam concrete is used to create internal partitions or an insulating layer.

Attention!

Foam blocks are good for equipping those rooms that are often exposed to moisture.

Although foam concrete is resistant to external influences, including moisture, walls made from it are usually treated with plaster and decorative finishes. This is necessary due to the not very beautiful surface of the blocks and uneven joints filled with mortar.

If you use foam concrete and aerated concrete of equal density, the latter material will exhibit higher qualities of heat resistance and strength. Consequently, you can save on , which directly depends on thermal conductivity. Load-bearing walls made from aerated blocks will last many times longer, and in dry rooms, finish with plaster thanks to the beautiful appearance and thin seams will not be required.

My choice is simple. For residential buildings, use aerated concrete blocks as more smooth material(minimum thickness of seams), manufactured in a factory (strength meets the stated requirements). You just need to solve the issue of protecting the walls from moisture with the help of cladding and a high base. For commercial non-residential buildings (sheds, garages, etc.), foam concrete is quite suitable. The characteristics of strength and thermal conductivity are not so critical here, but you can and should save on the price of the material.

Useful video

In this short story, the author concludes that if we take materials with identical characteristics for comparison, the score will be a draw:

Modern trends in the construction of private houses require the replacement of traditional brick and wood with more technologically advanced materials. All that remains is to decide: foam concrete or aerated concrete, which is better?

The use of foam and aerated concrete in construction

The technology for constructing buildings made of cellular concrete was mastered relatively recently, but it has already been successfully tested by time:

1. Foam and aerated concrete have a low specific gravity and are lighter than other materials. And this factor is decisive when choosing material for buildings on lightweight foundations.
2. Unlike brick, masonry is erected quickly; such work does not require high qualifications.
3. The non-susceptibility of these materials to corrosion or rotting allows them to be connected to structures made of other materials using metal fasteners.
4. Any concrete products are not of interest to insects.
5. Fire safety– also an important thing.
6. Even if the house design was completed with errors, they are quite easy to eliminate in walls made of cellular concrete. So, in order to make just one niche in the wall from monolithic concrete for an outlet, you will have to spend up to five hours. During the same time it is possible to install in full in the living room hidden electrical wiring. Provided that the walls are made of cellular concrete.

Along with general positive characteristics, the use of a specific material is determined by its characteristics. Before making your choice: which is better, foam or aerated concrete, you should familiarize yourself with their characteristics, comparing them to solve a specific problem.

Foam concrete and aerated concrete: similarities and differences between materials

Cellular concrete is usually used for the production of foam concrete and aerated concrete blocks. By analogy with red and white brick, the names of these materials have one root.

To prepare both materials, the technology of foaming a cement solution is used, which is then formed into blocks. This is where the commonality of their technological features ends. Due to the fact that air bubbles form in the petrified shell, the structure acquires its most basic qualities: heat and sound insulation. Such characteristics of this material allow cellular concrete to successfully compete with wood. Everyone has their own method of forming a petrified shell for gas and foam concrete.

Manufacturing technology

How foam concrete is made:

To make the material porous, a solution consisting of water, cement and sand is foamed. To give greater stability, synthetic reagents are added to the liquid structure to promote the formation of a foam-like mass. After the solution reaches the required consistency, it is poured into molds. This is where hardening occurs; the process requires any positive temperature.

In order to make blocks, all you need is an ordinary concrete mixer and a simple foam generator. All manufacturing process easily organized directly on a personal plot.

How to make aerated concrete:

When producing aerated concrete blocks, foam formation occurs without the addition of synthetic additives. Aluminum powder and lime are added to a solution consisting of cement, water and silicate sand. After the reaction between the reagents takes place, the entire volume of the mixture is filled with stable gas bubbles. If you don't create special conditions, such foam will settle very quickly.

In order to prevent the foam from settling, the mass that is formed into blocks is processed in an autoclave. Long-term processing at a temperature of about 200 degrees and high (up to 14 atmospheres) water vapor pressure ensure the formation of a petrified structure of the block.

For such production it is required industrial conditions. But with mass production it is possible to produce blocks in large volumes. Moreover, they will be the same size and with identical mechanical properties.

The method of fastening the blocks when laying them is determined by the specifics of their manufacture. Thus, to fasten foam concrete blocks, ordinary cement mortar is used, and to fasten aerated concrete blocks, the use of special glue is required.

What to choose: advantages and disadvantages of each

In order to answer the question: which is better, foam concrete or aerated concrete, you must first answer the question: what is “good” anyway? In some cases, the individual properties of each material are useful; sometimes they make these materials irreplaceable. are related to each other, they have something in common concrete base. Therefore, they have the following general beneficial properties:

• Low specific gravity (lightness);
• High thermal insulation;
• Low sound conductivity;
• Simplicity and ease of processing;
• Lightness and simplicity of installation;
• Lack of flammability;
• They are not afraid of damage from rodents and insects.

The only drawback of both materials is their high ability to absorb moisture. This negatively affects the thermal insulation qualities of materials, and negative temperatures threaten to destroy the structure of the material. However, this drawback can be easily eliminated if the surface is simply covered.

Conventionally, we can highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each of these materials in comparison with each other:

Aerated concrete, advantages:

1. Higher thermal insulation;
2. Better block geometry;
3. There is the possibility of reinforcing the masonry;
4. Smaller specific gravity;
5. The masonry is more durable;
6. Reducing the load on the foundation;
7. Greater resistance to impact low temperatures;
8. More durable (service life - from 50 to 70 years);
9. Does not shrink;
10. Better amenable to processing with finishing materials.

Flaws:

1. High cost;
2. Higher moisture absorption capacity;
3. Worse soundproofing properties.

Foam concrete, advantages:

1. Lower cost;
2. Higher sound insulation qualities;
3. Best waterproofing qualities.

Flaws:

1. Lower thermal insulation properties;
2. Worse block geometry;
3. Inability to reinforce the masonry;
4. Shorter service life (up to 30 years);
5. The material is heavier (has a higher specific gravity);
6. Less strength of masonry;
7. Creates a large load on the foundation;
8. Subject to shrinkage;
9. More difficult to process;
10. More susceptible to low temperatures.

To evaluate the remaining features of cellular materials, it is necessary to understand all the conditions of use in specific conditions. It would seem even obvious.

The cost of delivery of the material is another important component. Cellular blocks cannot be stored outdoors due to the threat of precipitation. Therefore, they must be used immediately. And it is possible to produce foam concrete blocks directly on site, depending on the need for them during installation.

Installation of cold bridges, which are common for cement screed, is unacceptable for an adhesive seam. But this is a disadvantage only for external walls, which are not finished. Considering that any wall made of cellular material is finished with plaster or covered with siding, this factor is not particularly important.

They have size standards, their accuracy is up to 1 mm. This circumstance helps to significantly facilitate the laying of flat walls and significantly reduce glue consumption. Gas blocks are made strictly in the shape of a parallelepiped. Foam concrete blocks can have any shape, as they are made independently. The result is the ability to make walls in the form of rounded and sometimes even more complex profiles, made in the form of complex architectural elements.

There is an opinion that foam concrete is not environmentally friendly. The argument is the use of foaming agents of synthetic origin in the manufacture. However, if you enter a query in search engines: houses made of aerated concrete reviews from owners, then it will be possible to make sure that this material does not pose any threat to human health. Moreover, these people have the opportunity to select a specific drug. Offered on the market a wide range of similar drugs, they have different composition and cost. It is also necessary to take into account that when buying ready-made aerated concrete blocks, the consumer has no confidence in their quality and sanitary safety.

The creative space when using cellular concrete materials is limitless. All that remains is to wish the owner of the house to plant a tree and raise a son in it!

Gas and foam concrete blocks are related building materials. They are made from lungs cellular concrete. These two types of blocks are actively used in low-rise construction. Often developers have a question, what material is better to use?

Knowledge about the method of their production and characteristics will help you choose foam or aerated concrete. They will be discussed in this article.

Which material is better - stronger and warmer?

One of the main advantages of building materials is its strength. This parameter directly depends on the density (specific gravity) of concrete:

• for foam concrete blocks it ranges from 650 to 700 kg/m³;
• aerated concrete material has a density of 400-450 kg/m³.

Based on these figures, foam concrete blocks should be more durable. However, it is not. Aerated concrete building material is manufactured using a factory method and using modern technologies. Thanks to this, with a strength of 35 kgf/cm² and a density of 450 kg/m³, it can withstand the same loads as foam concrete with a specific gravity of 650 kg/m³.

Both building materials are considered warm. But which one has a higher rate?

Aerated concrete blocks have lower cold resistance than foam blocks. However, their geometry is ideal. Thanks to this, this material can be placed on a very thin layer of glue. Because of this, a minimum number of cold bridges occurs.

For comparison:

• the thermal conductivity of D-500 brand gas blocks is 0.12;
• The thermal conductivity coefficient of foam concrete analogs of the D-700 brand is 0.24.

At the last material high level thermal resistance, it effectively accumulates heat. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of heating your home. However, for such a result to become possible, the thickness foam concrete walls should be twice as much as that of enclosing structures made of aerated blocks.

The conclusion follows from this: aerated concrete buildings are warmer (2 times) than foam concrete buildings, with the same thickness of enclosing structures.

What parameters to choose?

Desired qualities of building materials for walls:

• environmental cleanliness;
• shape convenient for laying;
• large dimensions;
• not too much weight.

Foam and aerated concrete blocks have all these qualities. However, there are differences between them.

One of them is the geometry of the blocks. Aerated concrete material It is manufactured only in a factory way. Therefore, it has an almost correct shape. As a result, gas blocks are more convenient to lay, and masonry mortar less is spent. Foam concrete material is often made handicraft, because of this its geometry leaves much to be desired.

There are also differences in the block production technology. Aerated concrete analogues are environmentally friendly. In the production of foam concrete, production waste is often used to replace quartz sand. Moreover, to obtain foam, lye or waste remaining after tanning leather is used. Because of this, the blocks' shelf life is reduced, and their properties of this building material fickle.

Foam blocks are easy to make. This makes it possible to produce them handicraft. The mixed solution is placed into molds in which it hardens. Very often the shape of the material is uneven.

There are also differences in storage conditions for building materials. Aerated concrete building material again wins in this regard, as it is reliably packaged. Thanks to this, it is protected from atmospheric influences and contamination during storage. Foam concrete analogues are not packaged. This is their minus.

Which block production technology is better?

The production material for both types of blocks is lightweight concrete, the structure of which is permeated with small pores (cells). Manufacturing conditions and the ingredients used influence the qualities of these related building elements.

Their production methods differ; cells are formed during different production processes.

Foam concrete blocks are made like this:

1. First, the components of the solution are mixed.
2. A foam additive is then added to the mixture.
3. The ingredients of the solution are mixed mechanically.
4. The mixture is then poured into molds.
5. Next, the blocks dry at natural temperature.

The equipment for their production is inexpensive. Therefore, foam concrete blocks are often made in small workshops. Due to worn-out molds, products often have incorrect geometry. The difference in dimensions can be significant, and this reduces the quality of the masonry.

Features of the production of aerated concrete blocks:

1. The porous structure of the material is formed as a result of chemical interaction between the ingredients of the solution.
2. To increase the strength of the product, it is processed in an autoclave.
3. Aerated concrete is produced only in factories. In this case, expensive, technological equipment is used. Therefore, the quality of blocks made from it is higher than that of foam concrete analogues.

Properties that make it worth choosing aerated concrete blocks for construction:

1. Easy processing. The material can be drilled, sawed and planed. Nails can be driven into it without any problems.
2. Ecological cleanliness. The blocks are made from natural ingredients, so they don't have harmful substances.
3. Fire safety. Aerated concrete is non-flammable, it belongs to fire resistance class 1 and fire resistance category 2.
4. Long service life. It is about 100 years old.
5. High level of strength.

For the production of foam concrete blocks, slaked lime, water, Portland cement, blast furnace slag, etc. are used. Sulfide or soap lye is used to foam the mixture.

Aerated concrete is made from Portland cement, quartz sand, slaked lime and water. Aluminum paste is used as an additive. This ingredient is harmful to health, but during the production of the material its particles are dissolved.

Foam concrete has a structure with closed cells. The walls come out warm and have good sound insulation. The material absorbs moisture less than aerated concrete. However, it is still necessary to clad the walls with it.

Aerated concrete's structure consists of small pores and microscopic cracks. It absorbs water more intensely than foam concrete. Therefore, aerated concrete walls must be protected with moisture-resistant cladding.

Which masonry will cost less?

An important selection criterion is the cost of the blocks and, based on it, the price of construction. Equipment for the production of aerated blocks is expensive, and the production technology is complex and costly. Therefore, aerated concrete blocks are not cheap. They cost 3000-3500 rubles per cubic meter.

Equipment for the production of foam blocks costs several times less. Their manufacturing technology is simpler. Thanks to this, the material costs 2500-2900 rubles per cubic meter.

Aerated concrete blocks are more expensive than their foam counterpart. However, due to their ideal geometry, much less masonry mortar is spent on them, and the walls are more durable.

Before choosing a building material, you should know about the scope of its use. Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks are in most cases used for the construction of enclosing structures, as well as internal partitions in domestic construction. In addition, they are used to fill frames during the construction of monolithic buildings. The material can be used in the construction of high-rise buildings.

For foam concrete blocks natural drying the scope of application is not so wide. Area of ​​their use:

• construction of partitions and piers inside buildings;
• construction of external load-bearing walls of buildings up to three floors high;
• construction of fences;
• construction of production facilities;
• arrangement of thermal insulation layers of ceilings, floors and walls.

For construction residential buildings up to two or three floors high, private cottages, dachas often use aerated concrete blocks.

What building material to choose for the construction of a garage, utility and other non-residential buildings? The blocks for them must be strong, reliable, durable, and resistant to mechanical loads. Aerated concrete meets these requirements, but for reasons of economy it is better to prefer foam concrete. Its characteristics are quite suitable for the construction of non-residential buildings.

If you need to build a bathhouse, it is better to choose foam blocks. Aerated concrete is warm and well soundproofs rooms, but it is less moisture resistant, quickly absorbs water and takes a long time to dry. Therefore, it is not advisable to use this building material for a bath or sauna.

Foam concrete has better moisture resistance and is cold-resistant. Therefore, it is ideal for building a bathhouse.

The choice in favor of gas or foam concrete blocks depends on their characteristics, features and cost. It is easier for amateur builders with little experience to work with the first type of product. They have standardized sizes, high quality and good specifications. Foam concrete blocks may have an uneven surface, but they are cheaper.

Watch the video published in the article. It contains a lot of additional information about what criteria should be used to choose a building material: